Manitowoc couple faces possible MS, ALS fight

“I’ve always been a comedian, so that usually helps light up a room,” said William Kilmer, pictured with his wife, Rebekah, both of Manitowoc. The Kilmers are awaiting a diagnosis for William, who shows symptoms of either multiple sclerosis or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.(Photo: Alyssa Bloechl/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

MANITOWOC - The support of a loved one is sometimes all you need to keep moving forward.

William Kilmer has been doing just that with the support of his wife, Rebekah.

William was recently informed by doctors he may have multiple sclerosis, which is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system. The condition changes the flow of information between the brain and parts of the body.

Over the last few months, William’s body has weakened, forcing him to use a cane and leave his job as it became dangerous for him to work.

Kilmer has been living most of his life with medical issues, all concerning his heart, so more bad news from the doctor was not a surprise. He has Wolfe Parkinson White syndrome, mitral valve prolapse and a bicuspid aortic valve that leaks.

No matter the obstacle his body throws at him, William keeps on doing as much as he can.

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William and Rebekah Kilmer. Over the last few months, William’s body has weakened, forcing him to use a cane and leave his job as it became dangerous for him to work. The couple is awaiting a diagnosis for William, who shows symptoms of either multiple sclerosis or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.(Photo: Alyssa Bloechl/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

“He’s just so stubborn,” Rebekah said, recalling one time she had to rush home to help him up after a recent fall. “But I’m stubborn, too, and that’s why I love him.”

As a result of his many preexisting conditions, medical insurance is nearly impossible for the young couple to afford, they said. Premiums in the Affordable Care Act are too high and they do not qualify for BadgerCare. Some doctors have turned them away from treatment because of their inability to pay.

Rebekah works full time as an iron worker, and William has not been able to work for the last few months. He has been losing muscle mass, and the disease is taking a toll, weakening him to the point Rebekah does not want to leave him home alone.

William was adopted at age 2, has lived and worked all over the United States as a comedian, and is now living in Manitowoc with his wife, whom he met three years ago.

Making a life together, William and Rebekah were steadily employed and hoping to live out their dreams, despite his heart conditions. However, in June, William started noticing differences in his body. He would start feeling tingling pains in his arms and hands, and would experience muscle spasms.

William visited the emergency room and has been meeting with a doctor regularly since that time. Doctors believe he has MS, but if things progress, the diagnosis might change to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and causes muscles to waste away and harden.

As William’s body continues to weaken and produce random and painful muscle spasms and their medical bills continue to climb, the couple has been doing a lot of worrying.

“My doctor wants me to do physical therapy to help ease the symptoms, but we can’t afford it,” William said.

“I know it scares him to not be independent and to accept more of my help,” Rebekah added.

The couple relies on some financial help from William’s parents, who live in Nebraska, but they do not want to be a burden.

As hard as it is, William and Rebekah try to stay positive.

“I’ve always been a comedian, so that usually helps light up a room,” William said. “If it is ALS, there is nothing we can do. But right now, we are just trying to live well while we wait.”

William has been working on new comedy material, and hopes to someday perform here in Manitowoc — maybe the Capitol Civic Centre.

If interested in learning more or helping the Kilmers pay some of their medical expenses, read about them on GoFundMe under “Kilmer medical expenses.”